South Korea's government says the North's decision to restart its nuclear
facilities is "very regretful," but insists Seoul is ready to
respond to any attack.

His comments came after North Korea vowed to restart a nuclear reactor which is capable of making one bomb's worth of plutonium a year.

Meanwhile, during her first foreign affairs and security meeting since taking office, South Korean President Park Geun-hye told the military to set aside political considerations and respond forcibly, should the North attack.

"She said it is essential to retaliate against North Korea's provocations. She also emphasised [that] our strong diplomatic and military deterrent power can stop the North from daring to even think about provocation," said presidential spokesman Yoon Chang-jung.